Trauma Stepdown (PCU) Registered Nurse
Denton, TX
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Travel RN - Trauma Stepdown Unit

Location: Denton, Texas
Employment Type: Travel Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Information

• Unit: Surgical Trauma (25 beds)
• Staffing:

  • Day Shift: 1 charge nurse, 6 RNs, 3 techs, 1 secretary
  • Night Shift: 1 charge nurse, 6 RNs, 3 techs
• Patient Ratios: 1:4 (up to 1:5 for stepdown patients)
• EMR System: Meditech
• On Call Requirement: None
• Floating: May float to Progressive Care Unit or Heart and Vascular Unit

Required Certifications & Licenses

• ACLS
• BLS
• NIH Certification
• Registered Nurse License

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of experience as an RN in specialty (Trauma Stepdown)

Skills & Preferences

• Must Have:

  • ACLS, BLS, NIH certifications
  • Strong customer service skills
• Preferred:

  • Trauma and Orthopedic experience
  • Meditech EMR experience

Typical Patient Population & Procedures

• Acute surgical intervention and post-op care including:

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • General Surgery
  • Urological Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Neuro/Spine Surgery
  • GI Bleed / Endoscopy
  • Pulmonary Embolus
• Neurological diagnoses such as CVA, TIA, TBI, post-neurosurgery, altered mental status, meningitis, new onset seizures
• Cardiac and respiratory conditions including:

  • Hypertensive crisis
  • Chest pain, CHF
  • Sepsis (hemodynamically stable)
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Post cardiac cath lab and post-op cardiovascular surgery patients (stable)
  • Unstable angina, suspected MI (NSTEMI & STEMI)
  • Acute cardiac dysrhythmias requiring IV/PO medication management
  • Mild to moderate congestive heart failure without shock
  • Respiratory distress requiring advanced oxygen support (Venti mask, BiPAP, CPAP)
• Post-op vascular procedures (femoropopliteal bypass, peripheral stents, aortograms, carotid endarterectomy)
• Patients on various IV drips including anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, vasodilators, inotropes, and palliative care medications

Work Environment & Expectations

• Team-oriented and adaptable to changing environments
• Good communication skills essential
• Vital signs monitored every 4 hours
• Telemetry monitoring and patient assessments every 4 hours
• Level 2 trauma center with majority of patients admitted through the Emergency Department

Additional Notes

• No on-call requirement
• Floating may be required to related stepdown or progressive care units
• Competitive market for travel nurses; unit offers exposure to a wide variety of trauma and surgical cases with experienced staff and established protocols